The 5 Second Rule

· Inspired by the book 'The 5 Second Rule' written by Mel Robbins ·

Just a few post ago, I was writing on my site complaining about not having enough time to tick off items from my New Years Resolution List for 2017. I realized that I only completed one book in the period of 6 months whereas my plan was to read at least one book per month. I whined about spending my day and night at work so I didn’t have enough time to go to the gym or write blog posts. I found myself wrote only one post for the entire March when my goal was to write at least 1-2 posts a week. I started to panic because I did not having enough time in my week to complete all the tasks at work and to do the things that I truly love and enjoy in life, which added an extra layer of stress onto my life because I had no time to distress. I noticed myself becoming this person that whines about everything in life and get annoyed so easily, almost by anything. So…I became hating myself!

That was exactly 2 months ago. How about now?

Surprisingly I have turned the table completely around. I am now reading my third book of the month; I started attending fitness classes almost everyday; I’ve managed to find time to write at least 2-3 posts a week; and I’ve found time during my busy daily routines to do things that I truly enjoy. So what has changed? How did I change from hating my life to loving my life so much that I can’t wait to share my secret with you?

It’s The 5 Second Rule book written by Mel Robbins that has completely changed my life and taught me how to push myself out to do the things I fear to do, and make time for myself so I can start doing things that I enjoy because I learnt how to stop procrastinating. It gave me the power to break my bad habits of hesitation and procrastination. One of my favourite quote from the book was “A moment of hesitation is a kiss to the death”. So stop worrying, thinking, and doubting yourself was the key to this reinvigorated change in my life.

So how does it work? Instead of throwing those technique jargons like ‘Counting backwards from 5 to 1 is a meta-cognition that is used as starting ritual to stop some of our bad behaviors in our prefrontal cortex’…blah blah blah…I’m going to summarize it with simple language for you. The 5 Second Rule is a tool that is used to beat your brain order to accomplish greater goals – It keeps you distracted from your own worries and at the same time keep you focused on your goals.

When I first came across to this 5 Second Rule, I had tremendous doubts in it. If it is that easy, then everyone will be super successful in life, and no one will ever be poor. In order for it actually to work and make an impact on your life, you actually need to start to take actions of whatever you need to do by the time you finish counting the 5 -4-3-2-1. It might sound very easy, but it takes a lot of disciplines to stick to this rule. When my alarm went off at 5:45am and it was start dark outside, I counted 5 -4-3-2-1 and forced myself out of the bed; when procrastinated in front of my desk, but I didn’t want to start doing research on this very different topic, I counted 5 -4-3-2-1 and started typing searching words in the google bar; when I’m exhausted from work and struggled to make my way to the gym, I counted 5 -4-3-2-1 and pushed myself out of the door…There are so many times I counted the 5 -4-3-2-1 and forced myself to do something that I otherwise won’t do, and here I am, finding myself waking up early everyday without snoozing, so I don’t feel like I’m constantly running late in the morning; and I found myself gaining all those extra times I have earned from not procrastinating to do the things I previously complained that i didn’t have the time for. Since I started applying this 5 Second Rule in my life, I have developed a habit not to hesitate and just dive in and get things done habit. It is a wonderful feeling when I look at my daily to-do list and finding myself ticked off every single task that is on my to-do list. Can you imagine how wonderful and motivating this feeling could be?

To all my friends out there – when you hesitate, just count 5- 4- 3- 2- 1 and GO!

When you purchase the book, Mel Robbins has also prepared 31 mentoring videos, which she will send to you one per day, to keep you motivated and focused on your goals! Here’s a LINK to subscribe to those videos and they are completely FREE.

May 31, 2017

June 9, 2017

4evajessie@gmail.com

37 Comments

Diana

June 20, 2017

Omg, I totally know what you are feeling. I was planning to read at least 1 book in a months and I actually read only 1 book so far and not even complete, because travels can be exhausted. I also was planning to exercise and barely had time, but I do walk more than usual. Thanks for sharing this rules, I need to follow it

Brown Eyed Toast

June 16, 2017

Oh my goodness, the concrete examples of how you were able to change various aspects of your life really proved the effectiveness of the 5 second rule! Because of how you presented these changes, the 5 second rule no longer feels like a gimmick but an amazing rule that can truly deliver results. I too have been struggling with accomplishing my own 2017 resolutions, so it sounds like I’ll have to give this a try. Thanks so much for sharing!

Jacqueline

June 15, 2017

This is literally exactly what I need in my life right now. I told myself I’d read a book a month or learn a new skill or something and I find myself constantly procrastinating now. Definitely going to look into this and give this a try for the rest of the week!

Sheree

June 15, 2017

Oh my gosh Jessie, this is so useful and helpful!! Just from reading your blog post alone I already know I want to read the book. I totally lack motivation to exercise, especially on rough days when kids are not behaving well, the last thing I want to do is exercise. But you are right I think exercising actually motivates you and give you more energy and feel positive! Sigh…5-4-3-2-1 I’m going to get some ice cream first and then hit the treadmill 😀

xo Sheree
PoshClassyMom.com

Wanderlustts

June 15, 2017

Wow jessie that was actually an incredibly interesting and insightful read for me. It may sound silly because at the end of the day it just sounds like your counting down but it has such a bigger implication. I guess it’s about ‘just doing it’ and teaching yourself to stop hesitating. I can see why it’ll work because we’ll pretty much condition ourselves to quit procrastinating… thereby increasing your efficiency by so much more. Something I plan to try myself. Perhaps i’ll pick up the book too

Aimara

June 14, 2017

First of all, body goals!! You are such a babe!
And second, girl thanks for sharing this. I know exactly how you were feeling and I know it’s hard to get out. Had no idea about the 5 second rule. I mean, I knew about it but I thought it was for when you drop food lol.
This is very useful, and I’m writing it down on a few visible post-its to remember it. So simple.
I feel like it will help my will power and I need to work on that. I also procrastinate a lot, so I hope this helps me as much as it helped you.
Thank you so much for sharing!
XO
Aimarahttp://www.waysofstyle.com

Amanda

June 14, 2017

I remember that post! I’ve never heard of this before but it sounds like a great way to get your mind on track with what you need to do! I always do the things I would likely procrastinate with first and that seems to help. Doing the things I want to do are my reward. I think it also comes down to just do it! But it’s so crazy the amount of things you can get done when you actually just do what it is you need to do! You end up actually having free time AND a peace because you know you’ve been productive! Also, I couldn’t come here without commenting not he gorgeousness of your athletic look! Your bod is amazing and I love the way you captured your looks! Ga Ga over this for sure!

Natalia k

June 14, 2017

Thanks for getting onto the five second rule book.
I definitely want to read the book but until then I think I might incorporate the five second rule into my life.
I was reading the part where you said about your alarm going off ,see when that happens to me I stay in bed for maybe another 10 minutes then I’m nearly usually late ,this time I’m gonna try to get out of bed in five seconds,it’s going to be hard but in the long term I think it could really benefit my life. It’s obviously working for you look fit and amazing and the activewear looks so good on you.
Xo
Natalia K

Open Kloset

June 14, 2017

Hey Love ,
How are you?
So Happy for you and that now you found that me for everything what you wanted:)
Reading Books very important for me too and this Book sounds very very interesting:)
The 5 second Rule Technique makes really sense for me:) Very Curious:)
Definitely will check and Read:)
Love Kisses
Open Kloset By Karina

Eliza

June 12, 2017

I think we all have these periods in life when we cannot control our life and complain about everything. But this 5 Second Rule Technique sounds great to me. I should definitely apply this to my life. Thank you so much for sharing it!

Jennifer Quattrucci

June 11, 2017

Wow !!! Jessie ! Seriously this post makes my day! Number 1. I am so proud of you for turning that slump around and that’s awesome that you are on your 3rd book ! Number 2. I can totally relate because I’ve shut out a bunch of things/people that I decided I no longer needed and find myself much more productive and happy. Number 3. I will definitely try the 5 second rule and also maybe read Mel Robbin’s book ! Thank you so much!!

Jo

June 10, 2017

I’ve never heard of this book before! I’m so happy you’ve shared it with us because it definitely sounds life changing. I’m always pressing the snooze button my alarm – way more times than I want to admit! Tomorrow I will give this a try and get my butt out of bed!!

marcy

June 7, 2017

The book sounds amazing!! I was actually looking for a new book to read and this one sounds very interesting since I want to set new goals and actually doing them in little time hehehe Sometimes I feel the hours o the day are not enough some

xoxo
Marcy

4evajessie@gmail.com

June 8, 2017

Thanks Macy! Your holiday photos make me so jealous! Maybe you can read the book while you are sun baking on the beach =P

Candace

June 7, 2017

Okay, this sounds like an amazing read! Good for you for getting back on track and getting things done. I need to apply the 5 Second Rule to pretty much everything in my life, particularly packing for my move. I have a feeling it’s really going to help, so thanks for sharing 🙂

4evajessie@gmail.com

June 8, 2017

Thanks Candace. I’m so happy that I have my life back now and I look at things from a much positive perspective. I think we should totally start a ‘Book Idea Exchange Post’ 🙂 have each blogger to nominate 1-2 good reads and have it combined into one post and post on our wall!

KATE TIK

June 6, 2017

Omg yes! I need this in my life!!! Thank you so much for sharing and I will add this book to my reading list cause I am trying to face things I fear doing.

katetik.com

4evajessie@gmail.com

June 8, 2017

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you can tick off your to do lists everyday and accomplish your greater goals 🙂

Thomas Falkenstedt

June 6, 2017

Ok, first of all I need to buy the book and then check out all the links. I feel like I need to read the book first, but I want to emphasize I REALLY want and need to read it. Just like you I am slightly panicking over not getting all the things done that I want to and despite not setting up any resolutions (in order not to break them) I have the same goals as you do with everything from posting on my blog, to working out to actually reading books. I’ll definitely check out this book as, despite it sounding easy, probably will help me a lot as it did you!
xoxo
Thomas

4evajessie@gmail.com

June 8, 2017

I have to confess, I have been quite lazy…so instead of reading this book, I’ve been listening to it on Audible in the morning, when I’m doing my make up and getting ready for the day. Haha, better to utilize the time right? Can’t wait to read about those benefits you will gain from reading the book in a few weeks time =P

Yasmin

June 6, 2017

Sometimes the simple things make the best solutions! I’m definitely going to try this. I feel like getting started is the hardest part. And once you’re there, it’s so much easier to keep going.

4evajessie@gmail.com

June 8, 2017

Totally agree with you Yasmin. Simple tools can be so versatile and easy to use. Making the first step is always the hardest. Once you have make a start, it gets a lot easier from there =) Go girl! looks like you have that all figured out!

Jessi Malay

June 6, 2017

Love this post babe! There is never enough time in the day to do everything that you put your mind to, but I think it’s so important to have a rule like this to incorporate into your daily schedule!!

4evajessie@gmail.com

June 8, 2017

Jessi, you are definitely one of my idols and I am amazed how much you can fit in your 24-hour day! Great work, maybe you should share some tips about how you plan your day ahead so you can produce all those amazing contents among your busy travel schedules.

Sharon Wu

June 5, 2017

Okay I’ll be honest with you and let you know that I haven’t had time to sit down and read but that just sounds wonderful already. This book sounds like a must-read and I need to go find it at my local library soon! I think it will be really eye opening based on how you make it sound. Right now there are so many things I want to do with my life and I don’t even feel like I’m accomplishing half of them because 24 hours is just not enough in a day! lol! In the mean time I will try to incorporate the 5 second rule into my life until I can get my hands on this book 🙂 thanks for sharing darling! xo, sharon

4evajessie@gmail.com

June 8, 2017

I wonder what are those things that are currently on your to do list. Write them down definitely helps, and then you can start to prioritize them from the list and work down the one by one. I found assigning a dead line to those tasks also helps with my procrastination. Let me know how you go with the 5 second rule babe !

Christine Kong

June 5, 2017

Wow this book sounds so inspirational and something that I need. When you describe yourself a few months ago with little time to do everything you wanted, I feel like that is me right now. There are so many things to get done in the day and only 24 hours to do them. I need to read this book and change my mindset and get going to get things accomplished. I love the active wear you are sporting in these photos too. Great workout wear always inspires me to hit the gym too! Thanks for the book rec and gotta order it now! xoxo, Christinehttp://dailykongfidence.com/

4evajessie@gmail.com

June 5, 2017

I know right!! 24 hours a day is definitely not enough! However, it is quite fair that everyone is entitled to only 24 hours a day, but some people can get a lot out of their 24 hours. I hope this book or the 31 videos from Mel Robbins would be able to help you to archive your personal and career goals! I was quite inspired by your other post about ‘Spreading Positives’. I’m so grateful that we have such a strong empowering community here among women, and I hope we can spread the inspiration and energy to a broader audience =) #gogirl

Samantha Mariko

June 4, 2017

I really need to incorporate the 5-second rule in my routine! I find myself going to the gym less because I have so many other things I have to finish, but it just doesn’t feel good, and I’m also trying to read more but it’s never enough. I will try this, thank you!http://www.samanthamariko.com

4evajessie@gmail.com

June 5, 2017

Those are great goals to be archived Samantha! I hope you will get a chance to watch those 31 videos from Mel Robbins and hope those videos will make a change in your life to you can archive your goals 🙂

Mariann Yip

June 4, 2017

I’ve actually been searching for a new book to read so thank you for the recommendation! I also think it’s important to take a step back and put our goals into actions. I’ve fallen off track with some of mine but this was a great reminder to get back!

4evajessie@gmail.com

June 5, 2017

Thanks MAriann! What are some of the books you are reading? I’m always open for new suggestions and I’m the look out for the next interesting one to read 🙂